Chapter 212: Alive or Turned to Corpse (Requesting Base Monthly Votes)

Inside the Starfall Palace of the Chen Imperial Palace.

After signing three cooperation agreements with the Solar Star Palace and the Chen State Dao Academy, Cheng Yuexiao began discussing next year's selection quotas, but Du Tingyun adamantly refused.

The reason was simple: the quotas in the previously signed agreements were inconsequential.

For instance, the Solar Star Palace's reduction in new recruits from its prefectural and provincial branches in Chen Guo was only twenty percent.

Even if the new Star Master complained to the Star Palace, it wouldn't matter.

Because the more disciples the Solar Star Palace recruited, the more cultivation resources it had to expend.

The Solar Star Palace sought disciples widely across Chen Guo for two reasons: first, to enroll the sons of officials and local magnates, cultivate them, and thereby secure their allegiance for future use.

How many sons of officials and magnates could possibly exist in a single prefecture?

Some official sons never even went to the Solar Star Palace.

Because they knew where their true roots lay.

The second purpose was to identify true prodigies.

The more prodigies the Solar Star Palace selected, the fewer prodigies Chen Guo would retain.

But such matters were like searching for a needle in a sea—only by selecting could one know.

Moreover, the ones ultimately taken as disciples were merely those with relatively better talent.

Thus, the number of quotas had little real impact.

Even the frequency of mining rights granted to the Solar Star Palace's regional branches had minimal effect, so he signed them all.

But the selection quotas—Du Tingyun dared not sign those!

These were terms from the Blood Star Pact, and securing these selection quotas had once cost blood.

This was also one of the grand strategies to steadily weaken Chen Guo and restrict its power growth.

If he signed, the new Star Master would escalate it, and he would surely be held accountable.

So Du Tingyun flatly refused—even reducing by one quota was unacceptable, let alone two.

"Grand Master Cheng, I see you're bullying the Solar Star Palace for lack of people! If that's how it is, I, Du, shall take my leave now and report this matter directly to the Star Palace. Whether these agreements hold any validity will be decided between you, Grand Master, and the Star Palace."

Du Tingyun had openly turned hostile and was preparing to leave, no longer willing to feign cooperation with Cheng Yuexiao.

Worse, he implied that the three agreements he'd signed earlier to placate Cheng Yuexiao were now void.

"Your Majesty, this minister takes his leave!"

With that, Du Tingyun bowed with solemn dignity and turned to depart.

Internally, he was delighted.

He had successfully pinned Cheng Yuexiao here for the time being; now, by turning hostile and reporting back to the Star Palace, he'd pay no price—and if fortune favored him, he'd earn double credit!

Du Tingyun dared act this way because the reason was simple.

He felt it was time.

By his calculations, he had already delayed Cheng Yuexiao for at least fifteen minutes.

It had likely exceeded eighteen minutes, nearing twenty.

In that time, Zhang Zhen, the Star Master, had surely completed the assassination and cleaned up all traces.

His mission was done; now he could openly turn hostile.

This was Du Tingyun's perfect plan.

The only doubt: why had Zhang Zhen not sent him a starlight message?

If successful, he should have notified him.

Had something gone wrong?

Impossible!

Cheng Yuexiao was pinned here by him.

Du Tingyun had already labeled Zhang Zhen in his mind—careless in execution; future cooperation with Zhang Zhen must be handled with caution.

"Grand Master Cheng, once an agreement is reached, to report it again to the Star Palace is hardly appropriate," Emperor Qian'an finally spoke.

At this moment, Emperor Qian'an of Chen Guo and Cheng Yuexiao shared aligned interests.

"Your Majesty, it is Grand Master Cheng who has bullied us too far!

It is not I who breaks my word!

If so, then let everything be nullified!

Farewell!"

With a stiff bow, Du Tingyun moved to leave immediately—his status ensured Emperor Qian'an dared not stop him.

Twenty years ago, the Solar Star Palace's experts had stormed the palace and slain Emperor Qian'an's Empress.

Emperor Qian'an's Empress had been a direct disciple of the Spirit Record Star Palace.

Back then, Emperor Qian'an had dared not utter a single word.

Now, to stop him from leaving was even less likely.

Yet just as Du Tingyun turned to exit the hall, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao suddenly clapped his hands.

Du Tingyun did not understand Cheng Yuexiao's intent, but at this moment, leaving was still best.

Turning hostile and leaving meant he had secured twenty minutes of Cheng Yuexiao's time with no cost.

But as he reached the hall's entrance, he was blocked.

Precisely, five incomplete corpses blocked his path.

Five corpses, arranged in a line before the Starfall Palace's entrance, barring Du Tingyun's way.

This startled Du Tingyun slightly—he was confused.

But the next glance turned his face deathly pale.

His expression grew utterly ghastly.

He recognized them!

These five corpses were all his subordinates.

The five fifth-rank Gathering Battle experts sent to assassinate Xu Jin!

All dead!

Their corpses had been brought here!

Du Tingyun's forehead veins bulged violently: the assassination had failed!

"That useless Zhang Zhen! If the assassination failed, why didn't he destroy the bodies? Now there's evidence!"

After cursing, Du Tingyun's heart lurched again—he instantly realized another problem: five fifth-rank experts, nearing or at peak cultivation, had all been slain. That meant the Chen State Dao Academy had been prepared all along!

It was a trap!

A fishing lure!

Not just any fishing lure!

Ten fifth-rank experts, plus Zhang Zhen secretly providing backup—how much force had the Chen State Dao Academy deployed?

"Grand Master Cheng, what is the meaning of this?"

Du Tingyun, now trying to leave, pointed at the blocking corpses, but his voice clearly lacked conviction.

Cheng Yuexiao stepped forward calmly, watching Du Tingyun's panicked eyes. "Shall I have someone recite the detailed backgrounds and origins of these five? Shall I bring forward witnesses who can identify them for you, Star Master Du?"

At these words, Du Tingyun grew even more flustered, utterly at a loss for how to respond.

He had never imagined the mission would fail—and that the worst possible consequence had occurred!

"Star Master Du, don't panic yet. There's something I must tell you." Cheng Yuexiao spoke again.

"Star Master Du, just fifteen minutes ago, Zhang Zhen, the Star Master of the Azure Star Palace stationed in Chen Guo, led ten fifth-rank experts in an assassination attempt on our Chen State Dao Academy disciple Xu Jin. They were all slain on the spot by our Left Sacrificial Officer and his men.

As a result, our Chen State Dao Academy has mobilized troops to surround the Azure Star Palace's Wanyi Branch. If the Azure Star Palace fails to provide us with a satisfactory explanation, in six hours, we will level the Wanyi Branch to the ground!"

This news exploded in Du Tingyun's mind like thunder.

Especially the news of Zhang Zhen's death—this struck him harder than anything.

Zhang Zhen was dead!

The Star Master Zhang Zhen was dead!

This threatened Du Tingyun even more: if a Star Master could die, then so could he, Du Tingyun.

This was what he feared most.

In terror, he had ignored Cheng Yuexiao's mention of mobilizing troops.

"No, I am safe!

I am inside the Chen Imperial Palace—Emperor Qian'an is my witness. Cheng Yuexiao dares not touch me!

I did not participate in the assassination!

I am safe!"

After dozens of heartbeats of internal struggle, Du Tingyun finally grasped the stakes and exhaled slightly.

"What does this have to do with me? I merely came to bid farewell to His Majesty! As for these five, I will investigate upon returning and give you a full account!" Having devised a response, Du Tingyun moved to force his way out.

In the next instant, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao's star energy surged, locking onto Du Tingyun instantly—terrifying him.

Yet Du Tingyun still stood firm, shouting, "Cheng Yuexiao, if you have the guts, kill me! See if the Solar Star Palace will spare you!"

"Kill you?"

Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao smiled. "You said it yourself! Perfect. I'll kill you, then send these corpses to the Solar Star Palace, with copies sent to the Star River Warfront Marshal's Office: Du Tingyun, your Star Master stationed in Chen Guo, dared to assassinate our Chen State Dao Academy's Autumn Examination champion!

I'm certain your Solar Star Palace will give us a perfect explanation."

"You're lying!"

Du Tingyun suddenly flew into a rage: "When did I ever participate in the assassination?"

I came here specifically to pay my respects to His Majesty!"

His Majesty can vouch for me—I had nothing to do with the assassination!"

Emperor Gan'an, seated high upon the throne, let out a soft "hmm?" and said coldly, "Throughout today, I have never seen Star Master Du."

In an instant, Du Tingyun felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head, drenching him to the bone—but he still refused to give up.

"Your Majesty, you cannot lie about this! Today, as I came to pay my respects, dozens of officials, eunuchs, and guards saw me—well over a hundred people. If I were dead, the Tianyang Star Hall could easily verify the truth with a simple inquiry!" Du Tingyun pleaded urgently.

"No one saw you."

"All guards, protectors, and officials who were on duty within the palace after the hour of Wei today will be reassigned to other star domains or sent on secret missions to places where the sun never shines—for the next three to five years, they will not reappear," Emperor Gan'an said without expression.

"This—"

Du Tingyun stammered, mouth agape: "But I truly had nothing to do with the assassination! You cannot frame me like this!"

Hearing this, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao chuckled: "How could we possibly frame Star Master Du?"

"The assassination occurred on Chen Guo's soil—in Wan Yi, the very heart of our realm, our most influential territory. We will make this case ironclad, with irrefutable evidence that no one, no matter who they are, can ever overturn!"

"Star Master Du must have personally taken part in the assassination—and was slain on the spot by us!"

In an instant, the color drained completely from Du Tingyun's face; he slumped against the pillar as if his spine had been ripped out, gasping heavily, sweat pouring like rain.

In the face of life and death, anyone would react this way!

Suddenly, as Du Tingyun gasped for breath, a flash of insight struck his mind.

If Cheng Yuexiao truly meant to kill him, he would have done so long ago—why waste so many words?

Talking to him was, in fact, his only path to survival.

In an instant, Du Tingyun came back to life.

"May I ask, Your Majesty, Grand Master Cheng—what must I do today to secure my life?" Du Tingyun turned, bowed deeply, his demeanor and bearing now utterly transformed from before.

Hearing this, Cheng Yuexiao and Emperor Gan'an exchanged a knowing smile—today's matter was settled.

"It's simple," Cheng Yuexiao said. "Decide the selection quota. And you must also help us finalize the three prior agreements—make this case ironclad, so even the new Star Master cannot overturn it."

"How is that possible?"

"That's your own problem."

"Do it, and you walk out alive—these corpses vanish."

"Fail, and you become one of the corpses, sent alongside these five to the Tianyang Star Hall!"

One sentence from Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao sent fresh chills down Du Tingyun's spine—he faced death head-on.

Quickly, Du Tingyun found a solution: "If there's a tangible exchange of interests or other concessions, the case cannot be overturned. Chen Guo must pay a price—large or small—to ensure no one can reverse it."

"Hah! Excellent—Star Master Du, you're refreshingly straightforward."

An hour later, after everything was settled, Cheng Yuexiao personally escorted Du Tingyun out the door.

Of all the agreements signed today, the rest were trivial—the only thing that mattered was Tianyang Star Hall's selection quota for next year.

This year's selection, thanks to Xu Jin, preserved Chen Guo's vital strength.

Next year's selection is now settled.

But the year after that? Chen Guo's State Dao Academy must handle it alone.

Yet within two years, the power and influence of Xu Jin's six Golden Stars will be fully unleashed.

At that point, the situation will be entirely different.

Watching Du Tingyun depart, Cheng Yuexiao finally exhaled in relief.

Today's affair appeared seamless—but it was perilous indeed.

Fundamentally, Du Tingyun was merely stunned, too slow to grasp the larger tide.

There was one crucial tide, however.

That is: Chen Guo's State Dao Academy dares not and cannot simultaneously provoke both Tianyang Star Hall and Cangming Star Hall.

If Chen Guo's State Dao Academy challenged both star halls at once, they would be targeted by both in full force. At that point, Chen Guo's own strength is inferior to either star hall—facing two against one, they would suffer catastrophic defeat.

Therefore, since Chen Guo's State Dao Academy has already broken with Cangming Star Hall, it cannot now break with Tianyang Star Hall.

Du Tingyun simply failed to realize this—and suffered a crushing blow.

This is also why Chen Guo's State Dao Academy never mentioned the Tianyang Star Hall's involvement in the assassination.

And even if Du Tingyun realizes it later—what then?

If he protests, he only brings shame upon himself.

After Du Tingyun departed, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao turned back, bowed deeply to Emperor Gan'an seated high upon the throne: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"The Grand Master has worked hard."

"With urgent matters piling up, I beg leave to withdraw."

"Yes, Grand Master, go."

After stepping back two paces, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao turned and left the Luoxing Hall—yet as he stepped out, he sighed inwardly.

Once, the emperor and his ministers spoke freely on all matters.

Every small achievement was met with triumphant celebration.

Now, only formalities remain.

Cangming Star Hall acted swiftly.

Chen Guo's State Dao Academy had fully surrounded Cangming Star Hall's Wan Yi branch, with overwhelming force.

The Wan Yi branch, bound by alliance agreements, had never stationed many high-level experts. Now, five fifth-rank Joudou experts were dead, Star Master Zhang Zhen was dead—only one sixth-rank deputy director remained to hold the line.

Worse still, Chen Guo's Zhaixing Tower had directly shut down all teleportation permissions.

In Wan Yi, only Chen Guo's Zhaixing Tower was the main tower; Tianyang and Cangming Star Halls had only branch towers.

Once the main tower blocked teleportation, the branch towers had no recourse.

This was Zhaixing Tower's rule—no one could change it.

Thus, rapid reinforcements became impossible.

Crucially, Cangming Star Hall had no moral standing.

The bigger this scandal grew, the more humiliation Cangming Star Hall would suffer.

It was like two children quarreling—and one child's parent stormed in and beat the other senseless. Wherever you went, you'd be in the wrong.

If Chen Guo's State Dao Academy truly crushed Cangming Star Hall's Wan Yi branch, the losses aside, the shame would be far greater.

And whether to open war was itself a question.

Under current conditions, if Cangming Star Hall truly fought Chen Guo's State Dao Academy, Tianyang Star Hall would simply reap the benefits.

Cangming Star Hall's leadership was not foolish.

Cangming Star Hall's response was swift.

Just three hours later, Cangming Star Hall's Grand Elder Sun Xianzu arrived in person—having first teleported via Zhaixing Tower to Songzhouzhoucheng, the nearest city to Wan Yi, then flown at full speed without regard for cost.

With Grand Elder Sun Xianzu's arrival, Grand Master Cheng Yuexiao and the senior officials of the State Dao Academy received him.

The two sides negotiated and haggled for a full hour before concluding.

When they emerged from the grand hall, Grand Elder Sun Xianzu's face was dark with fury.

Clearly, he had paid a heavy price.

Lacking moral standing, burdened with irrefutable evidence, corpses still in enemy hands, and surrounded—no price was too great to pay.

Yet most of the costs were merely paper concessions.

The most critical was Cangming Star Hall's surrender of next year's selection quota for Chen Guo.

At first glance, this seemed like no real cost to Cangming Star Hall.

But when weighed against future consequences, the cost was immense.

The selection quota system was originally designed during the Blood Star Pact, by both star halls, to ensure Chen Guo's top-tier talent would stagnate across generations.

If sustained for decades, Chen Guo's top-tier strength would decline generation after generation.

Eventually, when the three highest beings intervened, one decisive battle would lock in victory.

With no one left to oppose them, Chen Guo would be entirely carved up by the two star halls.

The original strategic timeline was set at sixty years.

Now, only twenty years had passed.

This year, both star halls suffered a crushing defeat; next year's concession is tolerable.

It remains within the acceptable range of both star halls.

Two years' gap will not alter the grand balance.

In addition, there were other compensations.

That night, Chen Guo's State Dao Academy withdrew all its troops surrounding Cangming Star Hall's Wan Yi branch.

Xu Jin returned with the army to the State Dao Academy.

Back in his small courtyard, Xu Jin carefully reviewed everything that had happened today—and new thoughts emerged.

Strength!

He still needed to increase his strength!

Ten fifth-rank experts had been slaughtered like chickens and sheep today!

These men had all been prominent figures in Wan Yi!

Strong ones!

And yet they died so easily.

Many people didn't even know how they died!

Xu Jin didn't want to die like that!

So, Xu Jin set himself a mid-term goal—Fifth Stage!

If he broke through to the Fifth Stage, Polaris Gathering Realm, Xu Jin estimated he would possess Sixth Stage combat power; combined with his other methods, with caution, he would finally have true self-preservation strength in this world.

As for his short-term goal, it was naturally Star Refining Ninth Level!

But just as Xu Jin set his goal and began cultivating, the various factions underwent further changes.

Or rather, the assassination of the Autumn Exam champion of the Chen Guo Dao Academy by the Cangming Star Palace had triggered a chain reaction across the entire world!

The world suddenly stirred with upheaval once more!

(End of Chapter)